Toronto Marlboros' captain Freddie Hamilton snatched 14th overall

Niagara IceDogs bulk up at draft

The Niagara IceDogs have potentially added some skill and size to their roster for next season.

The IceDogs added 14 new players to their ranks Saturday, during the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. General manager Dave Brown said when the day was done, he believes those players, whether they join the team this year or next, will help better round the hockey club.

"We wanted to become a little bit bigger without giving up on the competitive level we had," said Brown. "I think we got bigger, while adding some new skill and maintaining what we had."

The club's first pick of the draft - the first in Niagara IceDogs history - was Freddie Hamilton, selected 14th overall. The Toronto native, who is 6'1" and 175 lbs., was captain of the Greater Toronto Hockey League's Toronto Marlboros squad last season, scoring 39 goals and 81 points in 51 games.

"Freddie is a complete player who works extremely hard in both ends," said Brown. "His responsibility level on the ice is pretty high."

He's also responsible physically. Hamilton had just four penalty minutes last season.

"When you look at penalty minutes it also has a lot to do with how he plays the game," said Brown. "When he tries to get the puck it's just through hard work and not just using his stick to hack away. He's hardworking and intelligent on the ice."

While it's difficult to determine which players will be left at certain points of the draft, Brown said Hamilton was the team's No. 1 choice from the outset.

The IceDogs' second selection, 34th overall, was 6'2", 200 lbs. defenceman Shayne Rover from the York Simcoe Express. Rover is 6'2" and 200 lbs. and will add some toughness to the blueline, along with a big shot.

"He's a big physical kid, especially down low," said Brown, adding he's looking forward to adding his toughness to the blueline. "He's especially physical in the corners and plays hard."

Last season Rover had 24 points in 49 games, with 24 penalty minutes.

The IceDogs added a goaltender in the third round, selecting Mark Visentin of the Halton Hurricanes with the 55th overall pick. The 6', 170 lbs. Waterdown resident had a 2.22 goals-against average and three shutouts in four games last season.

"He's going to be a guy who will come in and challenge for a spot in August," said Brown. "I'm pretty shocked he was still around when we picked him."

Another surprise, he said, was being able to select Jesse Beamish in the fifth round (95th overall). The Vaughan Kings forward had 49 points in 55 games last season.

"I think he's one of the real darkhorses of the draft," said Brown. "I am looking forward to seeing what he will bring to the table."

In the sixth round the IceDogs selected 6'4" defenceman Nik Knezik from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and then in the eighth and ninth rounds they decided to go local.

Jordan resident Joel Forestell, of the St. Catharines Midget AAA team, was taken 155th overall, followed by Cameron Stewart of the Niagara Falls Thunder Midget squad, at 175th overall.

"Joel is a real gamer," Brown said of the 6'1" centre. "I think he has some games that deemed him to be a very exceptional prospect. He has a huge upside."

The 6' Stewart had 44 points in 47 games last season and picked up 112 penalty minutes.

"He is a big tough kid - a real meat and potatoes guy," said Brown. "He leaves everything on the ice and is truly hardworking."